The Memorandum of Understanding signed by Lions Clubs of District 308 B1 Malaysia will support the inclusion and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities in FT Kuala Lumpur and states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Melaka, Pahang, Johor and Negeri Sembilan. This agreement includes vision screenings and referrals for people with intellectual disabilities, inclusive sports opportunities for Leos and Family Health Forums.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Lions Clubs of District 308 B1 Malaysia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation (MOU) with Special Olympics Asia Pacific, continuing its worldwide efforts to achieve the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in their communities.

Building on the organizations' 14-year history of collaboration, the MOU strengthens ties between Special Olympics and Lions Clubs District 308 B1 Malaysia in the community through the following:

Provide high quality Special Olympics vision screening and follow up services for people with intellectual disabilities.

Engagement and inclusive sports opportunities to reach more young people and Leos through inclusive sports programs.

Conduct Family Health Forums to educate families and carers of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

People with intellectual disabilities are one of the most marginalized, isolated, and neglected populations in the world. Out of the 27 countries in Special Olympics Asia Pacific region, Special Olympics estimates that there are as many as 72 million people with intellectual disabilities and 900,000 in Malaysia alone.

“By formalising this partnership to benefit communities in Malaysia, Lions Clubs International is continuing its efforts to help Special Olympics empower people with intellectual disabilities to achieve their best both on and off the playing field.” Says Dr. John Dow, Jr.,Acting President & Managing Director, Special Olympics Asia Pacific.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that no one is left behind in our communities, especially the less fortunate. We are pleased to collaborate with Special Olympics for this common purpose,” says Lim Hoe Guan, the newly installed District Governor 308 B1 Malaysia.

The largest service organization in the world, and a global leader
in humanitarian service, Lions Clubs International has been supporting
Special Olympics with a focus on health through the Special
Olympics-Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes vision screening
program.

In the Special Olympics Asia Pacific region, there is
ongoing collaboration with local Lions in more than 10 countries
including Indonesia, Philippines and India, offering vision and
health-related services, Family outreach support and reaching more young
people through inclusive sports and advocacy programs in an effort to
achieve full acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual
disabilities in their communities.

In 2001, Lions Clubs
International Foundation awarded Special Olympics the first grant in a
multi-year, multi-million dollar commitment in the expansion of the
Opening Eyes vision screening program. Since then, the Foundation has
provided over $15 million to provide vision and health-related services
for a population long denied access to quality health and social
services.

About Lions Clubs International

Lions Clubs International is the largest service club organization in the world with 1.35 million members in 208 geographic areas and countries. Since 1917, Lions Clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired, championed youth initiatives and strengthened local communities through hands-on service and humanitarian projects. Lions have helped to save or restore the vision of more than 30 million people worldwide. Though well known for its successful initiatives in vision health through its charitable arm of Lions Clubs International Foundation, Lions service is as diverse as its members. Lions Clubs meet all sorts of needs, from assisting the elderly to helping victims of natural disasters. Learn more online at www.lionsclubs.org.

About Special Olympics

Special Olympics is an international
organization that changes lives through the power of sport by
encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities,
promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding
and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the
Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to more
than 4.4 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the
world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and
other related programs.

The Asia Pacific region office is
headquartered in Singapore, to oversee the operations of the Special
Olympics Movement in 27 countries from Afghanistan to the Pacific
Islands excluding China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Mongolia and South
Korea (these six countries make up the Special Olympics East Asia
region). Special Olympics Asia Pacific is the largest region (out of
seven) in the world, serving more than 1.29 million people with
intellectual disabilities. The region offers 28 Olympic-type sporting
activities and Special Olympics initiatives in Healthy Athletes®,
Unified Sports®, Young Athletes™, Project UNIFY and the Athlete Leadership Program.